Younger players to get long look in Texans’ preseason opener

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First, the coaching and personnel departments will use the game to evaluate players, especially those trying to win backup roles and rookies trying to make the team.
Second and most important will be trying to make it through the game without a serious injury.

Preseason isn’t crucial for veterans like Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Ed Reed and Brian Cushing, four of the 20 players who will be kept out of the game.

Cushing, who has watched and participated in practice at training camp, knows which young players he is eager to see.

“There are a lot of talented guys, but obviously, I’m a defensive-minded player, so I’m excited to see guys like (free safety) D.J. (Swearinger), (outside linebacker) Willie Jefferson and (cornerback) A.J. Bouye.

“We’ve seen them in practice, and it’s going to be exciting to see them in game situations. We know they have play-making capabilities, and now they get the chance to turn it loose.”

Swearinger, who will come off the bench, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who will start, have been the most impressive rookies so far. That’s to be expected since Hopkins was selected in the first round and Swearinger in the second.